Monday, February 5th, 2024 Edition
PGA Tour cancels Pebble Beach final round, Wyndham Clark declared winner
– by Jack Hirsh / GOLF
Per Jack: “The 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is already over.
Despite initially postponing the final round of the $20 million Signature Event to Monday due to inclement weather, the PGA Tour made an about-face late Sunday night and said “out of an abundance of caution for the safety of all constituents” play would be canceled Monday. The tournament results through 54 holes are now final…”
B&B POV: Wyndham Clark has a sweet swing. And Pebble Beach is one of the sweetest tracks in golf. But none of us got to watch Wyndham win the Clambake on Sunday at fabled Pebble because Mother Nature had other plans. Rats. Only 54 holes for the PGA TOUR this week.
The 12-under 60 he shot on Saturday was sublime. He waxed the course record – by two strokes. And now he’s $3.6M richer. Very nice. Woot.
Rory McIlroy ‘changes tune’ over LIV Golf and players returning to PGA Tour
– Rob Freeman / The Independent
Per Rob: “Rory McIlroy says he has “changed my tune” on players facing punishment if they wish to return from the LIV Golf series to the traditional tours…”
B&B POV: It’s hard to keep up with who likes/despises who in the PGA TOUR/LIV battle. And Rory made it even harder last week when he exclaimed, “If people still have eligibility on this tour and they want to come back and play or you want to try and do something, let them come back. “I think it’s hard to punish people. I don’t think there should be a punishment.”
Once a vocal antagonist of LIV, Rory is now singing a different tune, one of conciliation. What caused the flip? Likely many factors, including his burgeoning animosity toward the leadership of his own tour. One thing is for certain: for the game of golf to grow, for professional golf to flourish, the millionaires that play on the CW and NBC/CBS/GOLF need to force their respective tour leadership to enter into a substantive partnership, and fast, or the fans will revolt, even more so than they already have.
Who Got Richer Sinking Putts at Pebble and LIV Mayakoba This Weekend? View the Prize Money Payouts
– Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys
Per Thomas: Joaquin Niemann and Wyndham Clark earned their exorbitant paydays Sunday, having both played 54 holes of ass-kicking golf last week and respectively lifting Big A-Trophies. They each fired 12-under rounds– Joaquin posted a 59 on Friday and Wyndham shot 60 on Saturday. That’s taking it deep. For their efforts, the Chilean took home $4M and the Oregon Duck/Oklahoma State Cowboy pocketed $3.6M. Joaquin also made $166k because his Torque team finished 3rd in the LIV team competition. Who doesn’t love a little team golf? TRUTH: Most people don’t unless it’s Ryder/Presidents/Solheim Cup season…
FEATURED GOLF DEAL OF THE WEEK
Ghost Golf – 20% off with code: 20%OFFPERKS
WITB Winner’s Bag: Wyndham Clark, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
– by Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys
Per Thomas: 2024 Pebble Beach Pro-Am winner Wyndham Clark is a Titleist man. It says so right on their website, and certainly in Wyndham’s bank account(s). But that didn’t stop him from featuring four club manufacturers in his gear set-up for Pebble. Titleist, TaylorMade, Mizuno and Odyssey/Callaway…
LIV Golf begins Year 3 with a 59, a late penalty, new blood, a long playoff and a stage all to itself
– by Evin Priest / Golf Digest
Per Evin: “With six words, LIV Golf’s Mayakoba champion Joaquin Niemann cut straight to the heart…“
B&B POV: Few watched LIV Mayakoba, LIV’s first event of the year. Not because the event lacked star power – Rahm, Koepka, Cam Smith, DJ, Bryson, Lefty, etc. all teed it up. Not because amazing golf wasn’t played – winner Niemann kicked off the tourney with a 59, and the tourney ended with a 4-hole playoff featuring the eventual winner and once-admired, but now the heel of golf, Sergio Garcia.
Few watched because LIV tourneys take place in a music-filled vacuum. It’s impossible to find on TV, there are no ads on major television to remind us to tune in, and when we do happen to find the tourney on the CW or online, it’s mostly unbearable to watch; the announcers are annoying and the ball dropping into the cup mic needs to die a terrible death. Don’t even get me started about the team event concept.
Maybe someday we’ll watch a full, final round of LIV. What is certain: when LIV’s and the PGA TOUR’s best do compete against one another in any event, whether a major championship or a future-state merged event, we’ll watch from start to finish. Guaranteed.
FEATURED CURATED LESSON
‘Tips for Playing Golf with a Buzz’
When enjoying the buzzy stuff while playing the gentlemen’s game, there are some tips to ensure you have a memorable and embarrassing-free experience. Our favorites…
GET YOUR TICKET FOR THE GENESIS!
This February, the PGA TOUR returns to Los Angeles and greatness will be unleashed on the greens. Tournament host Tiger Woods welcomes an elite field to compete at the iconic Riviera Country Club during the 2024 tournament. The Genesis Invitational is where legacies are defined, legends are born and the stars shine brightest. Join us at The Riviera Country Club, February 15-18.
Tickets for the 2024 tournament are on sale now! To learn more about hospitality packages, please contact us for more information.
WHEN YOU HAVE A MINUTE…
Things you just can’t make up. Don’t miss these random nuggets of gold we found on the interwebs. You’re welcome.